Gate latch



Aug. 15, 1939 v w G M OR S 2,169,846

GATE LATCH Filed Nov. 8, 1957 j INVENTOR BY WQKQAML ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 15, 1939 FLEET.

GATE. LATCH William G. Moores, Angels Camp, Calif, assignor of one-half to l). Fricct, Angels Camp, Calif.

Application November 8, 1937, Serial No. 173,277

2 Claims.

This invention relates generally to latches and in particular relates to a latch assembly adapted for use in connection with swinging gates. Heretofore'the various types of gate latches which have been manufactured and sold have been subject to certain objections; for example they were often difficult to operate when it was desired to open a gate, and when the gate was slammed the latch often did not function to catch and. hold the gate in latched position.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a gate latch assembly which, when in a latching position, will securely hold a gate against accidental opening and yet may be easily and readily released from either side of the gate whereby the gate may be opened in either direction.

It is also an object of my invention to provide a gate latch assembly, which, when the gate is swung to a closed position, will positively catch and latch the gate.

A further object of the invention is to produce a simple and inexpensive device and yet one which will be exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

These objects I accomplish by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims.

In the drawing similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved gate latch assembly as mounted on a tubular metallic fence post and engaging the adjacent vertical post of a swinging gate. 7

Figure 2 is a top plan of such gate latch assembly.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawing, the device comprises a split collar l adapted to be secured about a vertical fence post 2 illustrated in the present instance as being tubular and metallic, the segments of the collar being secured together by means of bolts 3. A horizontal plate 4 is fixed on the top of one collar segment adjacent and projecting forwardly toward the vertical end post 5 of a horizontally swinging gate (not shown); the outer edge of the plate terminating just short of the post 5.

A pair of L-shaped levers 6 are disposed in opposed relation, one above and one below the plate l; each lever B being pivoted at its elbow, as at 1, adjacent a forward corner of the plate 4. M so pivoted, the L-shaped levers 6 are disposed for swinging movement in a horizontal plane, one

lever swinging above the plate 4 and the other below.

Each lever is provided with a substantially semi-circular latch hook 8 which extends outwardly from the lever for engagement with one side of the vertical end post 5 of the swinging gate. The semi-circular latch hooks 8 of the respective levers are disposed in opposed relation, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, and are adapted when the latch assembly is in a normal position to practically surround and secure the vertical end post 5 of the swinging gate therebetween. Each of thelevers is provided with a striking edge 9 which extends from the outer end of its latch hook at an'inWa-rd slope toward the plate 4 and in the path of movement of the gate post toward and adjacent a closed position. Stops H are mounted on the plate 4 for engagement by the inner edges of the levers when the latter are in a latching position so as to prevent movement of the levers beyond such position.

The levers 6, at the end beyond the latch hooks 8 and striking edges 9, are provided with finger engaging members I! which project beyond the ends of plate 4 for use as hereinafter described. A tension spring I2 is connected between what may be termed the handle portions of levers 6, such spring normally holding the latch hooks 8 in engagement with end post 5.

When the above described gate latch assembly is mounted as shown, it functions in the following manner: the end post 5 of the swinging gate is normally held between the latch hooks 8 and cannot escape therefrom. If a person desires to open the gate in a direction away from the side of the gate on which he is standing, he grasps the handle portion of the adjacent lever B and pulls outwardly on the same. This releases the corresponding latch hook from the opposite side of post 5 permitting the gate to be swung away from the person.

However, if a person desires to open the gate toward himself, he grasps the adjacent finger engaging member H of the opposite lever and moves the same in a direction to swing said other lever 5 about its pivot with a resultant release of the corresponding latch hook 8 engaging the adjacent or close side of end post 5. Thus, by reason of the structure described, a person can release the latch assembly from one side of the gate to permit opening of the gate in either direction.

After the gate is opened as above, the levers 6 return to a normal position with the latch hooks 8 in close and opposed relation. To latch the gate, it is only necessary to slam or swing the same to a closed position and the end post 5 will engage either one or the other of striking edges 9 and deflect one latch hook inwardly and will then strike the opposed latch hook and stop. When this occurs, the first named latch hook will spring back into place and the gate cannot escape from a latched position.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that I have produced such a device as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted. to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A gate latch assembly to provide a releasable connection between the end post of a swinging gate and an adjacent fence post, said assembly comprising a horizontal plate adapted to be mounted on the fence post and to extend toward said gate post, said plate projecting some distance on opposite sides of the fence post, a pair of L-shaped levers independently pivoted at their elbows on the plate adjacent the opposite side edges thereof and in vertically spaced relation, one arm of each lever extending lengthwise of the fence and away from the gate to form an operating handle, and the other arm extending transversely of the fence between said fence and gate posts to a termination beyond the pivot point of the other lever, said other arm at its free end being formed as a finger engaging element to provide another operating handle and intermediate its ends being formed with a catch hook to engage the gate post when the gate is swung closed from an open position on the same side of the fence as that on which the pivot of said one lever is disposed 2. A gate latch assembly to provide a releasable connection between a swinging gate element and an adjacent fence post, said assembly comprising a base plate adapted to be mounted on the fence post between said post and gate and to project some distance laterally on opposite sides of the post, a pair of L-shaped levers independently pivoted at their elbows on the plate adjacent the opposite sides thereof and disposed in partially overlapping relation, one arm of each lever forming an operating handle and being substantially parallel to the corresponding arm of the other lever and the other arm of each lever extending transversely of the fence between said fence post and the gate to a termination beyond the pivot point of the other lever, said other arm at its free end being formed as a finger engaging element to provide another operating handle and intermediate its ends being formed with a catch hook to engage the gate element when the gate is swung closed from an open position on the side of the fence as that on which the pivot of said one lever is disposed.

WILLIAM G. MOORES. 

